Chapter 4

The celebration for my design award was held in a grand ballroom, filled with the city's elite. Julian had arranged for a team of stylists, and they transformed me into a polished stranger in a gown of midnight blue silk.

He arrived at dusk, his own tuxedo perfectly tailored. "You look breathtaking, Aria," he said, his eyes full of a love that was a lie.

We walked in to a ripple of applause. He was the perfect, adoring husband. But as I stood there, accepting congratulations, my victory felt hollow, tainted.

The award ceremony began. My name was called. As I walked onto the stage to accept the heavy crystal trophy, a small body shot past me. It was Noah. He snatched the microphone from the presenter's hand before I could reach it.

"My daddy says your award is bought!" he yelled into the mic, his childish voice amplified throughout the silent hall.

A wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd. Seraphina appeared at the side of the stage, her face a mask of maternal distress. "Oh, Noah, sweetie, no!"

Before she could intervene, Noah's eyes fixed on my wrist. He pointed to the delicate gold bracelet I was wearing. "That's pretty! I want it!"

"No, Noah, this was my mother's," I said, my voice trembling as I instinctively covered the heirloom.

He lunged, grabbing the bracelet and yanking it hard. The fine chain snapped. He bit down on my hand when I tried to retrieve it. Then, chaos erupted.

"Don't you touch my son!"

Julian was on the stage, his face a mask of fury. He shoved me, hard. My high heels caught on a cable. I fell backwards, my body clumsy and out of control.

My head hit the corner of a speaker with a sickening crack. The world exploded in pain. I looked up, my vision blurring. Julian wasn't looking at me. He was kneeling, fussing over Noah, who was now crying dramatically.

Seraphina scooped the boy into her arms. As she turned, she leaned down, her lips close to my ear, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear. "Your baby can never compare to my Noah."

Julian helped her off the stage, cradling Noah as if he were the most precious thing in the world. He left without a single look back, leaving me bleeding and humiliated on the floor of the stage meant to honor me. As they disappeared, Noah looked over his father's shoulder and stuck his tongue out at me.

The pain in my head was sharp, but a new, deeper, more terrifying cramp was seizing my abdomen. I looked down. The midnight blue of my dress was stained with a spreading patch of dark, wet crimson.

My baby.

The last thread of my strength snapped. The room tilted, the lights blurring into streaks as the world faded to black.